Ilmac Lausanne 2024 is set to open on 18 September

Visitors can look forward to 18 and 19 September 2024 when Ilmac Lausanne becomes the biggest event for the chemical and life sciences industry in western Switzerland. At Expo Beaulieu Lausanne, more than 190 companies and associations will be exhibiting for the first time in the spacious Hall 36, whose 5,400 square metres are fully booked. The two-day event is expected to attract more than 2,500 decision-makers and experts from the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Taking advantage of the comprehensive trade fair and the international conference for inspiration, networking and knowledge transfer, they are looking for new ideas and solutions for their day-to-day work.

“Inspiring the Future of Chemistry and Life Sciences” is Ilmac’s pledge, and one that Brand Director Céline Futterknecht believes can be delivered. She is looking forward to the life-science community coming together in western Switzerland. “Ilmac Lausanne is unique and offers high-quality, international content, innovations and megatrends in an unforgettable atmosphere. It is a place for inspiration and networking. To date, a large number of interested parties have pre-registered already. Personally, I’m even aiming to reach the 3,000-visitor mark.” For the first time, the ticket price includes all-round catering on both days with coffee and croissants, a networking lunch, drinks, ice cream and an aperitif on the first evening of the trade fair.

Opening with the participation of State Councillor Isabelle Moret

The official opening of Ilmac 2024 will take place on Wednesday, September 18 at 5.00 pm. This event, supported by the Office for the Promotion of Economic Development and Innovation (SPEI), will benefit from the presence of State Councillor Isabelle Moret, Head of the DEIEP. The State Councillor will speak at the inauguration together with Céline Futterknecht, Ilmac Brand Director, Magali Bischof, Secretary General of BioAlps, and David Spichiger, Managing Director of the Swiss Chemical Society (SCS). Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for networking over drinks, finger food and music.

More exhibitors, more quality, more benefits

With more than 190 exhibitors from 20 different industries and 20 countries, there will be more companies in attendance at Ilmac 2024 than at the last trade fair two years ago, including notable leading companies from the chemical and life-sciences sector, such as Agilent, Bruker, Endress+Hauser, Milian, Thermo Fisher and Siemens. The newly established Startup Area is also fully booked for its debut with many newcomers from the biotech and labtech sectors. In addition to the exhibition, visitors can look forward to professionally moderated experiments, roundtables and panel discussions in the Speakers Corner and the Future Talks Corner.

Mapping the value chain of the life-science industry

The exhibiting companies will be presenting their products and solutions in the specialist areas of lab technology, diagnostics and bioanalysis, biotechnology, process technology, robotics and automation, information technology and pharmaceutical logistics.

There will also be a focus on interdisciplinary areas, such as digitisation, process optimisation and sustainability. Sustainability is another issue that is close to Brand Director Céline Futterknecht’s heart: “At MCH Group, we incorporate sustainability criteria in our decision-making processes, internal workflows, investments, the supply chain and our services and products – and Ilmac is no exception.”

Ilmac Conference with an international flavour

The science-driven conference agenda has been developed in close cooperation with the Swiss Chemical Society (SCS), Bio Alps and Swiss Biotech Association (SBA). Top domestic and international speakers will address the latest trends and challenges in their outstanding presentations. The presentations will be held in English.

The first day will focus on food chemistry. The line-up of keynote speakers includes Oliver Schmidt from the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Dr Thomas Letzel from Analytisches Forschungsinstitut for Non-Target Screening, Augsburg, Dr Samy Boulos from ETH Zurich and Dr Xanthippe Theurillat from the Nestle Research Center, Lausanne.

Future of Labs, AI and ML

The second day will centre on Lab 4.0. In Session 1 “Future of Labs – Latest innovations and outlook”, key players such as JAG Jakob, SEED Biosciences, CEIDOS and HEPIA will be showcasing their case studies. Session 2 “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applied to drug development” will present case studies from key players developing and using AI and ML innovations to optimise and accelerate drug development. Among the high-calibre speakers are Jo Varshey of VeriSIM Life, Marion Bossy of SOPHiA GENETICS, Jean-Philippe Fricker of Cerebras and Loïc Roch of Atinary. The programme will be rounded off with networking events and a “Startup Pitch Session by Bio Alps & SBA”. Attendance of the Ilmac Conference is included in the ticket price.

Digital trade-fair preparation and networking via the app Anyone who wants to make the best-possible preparations for their visit to the trade fair can visit 365.ilmac.ch for in-depth information, to view the interactive hall plan, to book appointments at the Ilmac Conference and in the Speakers Corner and to network with other people.

Detailed programme information and tickets are available online at www.ilmac.ch. The trade-fair management recommends travelling by public transport. From Lausanne railway station, bus-line 21 reaches the Beaulieu stop in 10 minutes.